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Membranes
Volume 14
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Membranes, Volume 14, Issue 6 (June 2024) – 26 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Timelapse fluorescence images (green labeling cell nuclei and red labeling cell membranes) of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans since fertilization spiral from the center, marking the beginning of embryogenesis. In addition, the automatic segmentation of 3D cell membranes captures the dynamic landscape of development. The shape features of numerous 3D cell regions are meticulously measured, akin to using vernier calipers for precision. Distributed like stars, these 3D cell regions undergo drastic temporal changes in shape during critical biological processes, such as cell division (upper) and cell migration (lower). These transformations form intricate constellations, showcasing the beauty and complexity of embryonic development. View this paper
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19 pages, 4180 KiB  
Article
On the Maximum Obtainable Purity and Resultant Maximum Useful Membrane Selectivity of a Membrane Separator
by Sean-Thomas B. Lundin, Ayumi Ikeda and Yasuhisa Hasegawa
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060143 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1011
Abstract
Design considerations concerning the maximum purity of a membrane separator, and the resultant maximum effective selectivity of the membranes were explored by modeling a binary gas membrane separator (pressure-driven permeance) using a dimensionless form. Although the maximum purity has an analytical solution at [...] Read more.
Design considerations concerning the maximum purity of a membrane separator, and the resultant maximum effective selectivity of the membranes were explored by modeling a binary gas membrane separator (pressure-driven permeance) using a dimensionless form. Although the maximum purity has an analytical solution at the limit of zero recovery or stage cut, this solution over-predicts the obtained purity as the recovery is increased. Furthermore, at combinations of high recovery, low feed mole fraction, and low pressure ratio, the maximum purity becomes independent of selectivity above some critical selectivity. As a consequence of this purity limitation, a maximum selectivity is defined at which further increases in selectivity will result in less than a 1% change in the final purity. An equation is obtained that specifies the region in which a limiting purity is less than unity (indicating the existence of a limiting selectivity); operating at less than the limiting pressure ratio results in a purity limitation less than unity. This regime becomes larger and more significant as the inlet mole fraction decreases (e.g., inlet feed mole fraction of 10% and pressure ratio of 100 results in a maximum useful membrane selectivity of only 130 at 95% recovery). These results suggest that membrane research should focus on increasing permeance rather than selectivity for low-concentration separations. The results found herein can be used to set benchmarks for membrane development in various gas separation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications)
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15 pages, 21980 KiB  
Article
The Performance and Spatial Distribution of Membrane Fouling in a Sequencing Batch Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor: A Pilot Study for Swine Wastewater Treatment
by Wenhui Yue, Yanlin Chen, Qianwen Sui, Libing Zheng, Tharindu Ritigala and Yuansong Wei
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060142 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 938
Abstract
The extensive application of ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment draws increasing attention due to their ultra-long service life. A cost-effective treatment for high-strength swine wastewater is an urgent and current need that is a worldwide challenge. A pilot-scale sequencing batch flat-sheet ceramic membrane [...] Read more.
The extensive application of ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment draws increasing attention due to their ultra-long service life. A cost-effective treatment for high-strength swine wastewater is an urgent and current need that is a worldwide challenge. A pilot-scale sequencing batch flat-sheet ceramic membrane bioreactor (ScMBR) coupled with a short-cut biological nitrogen removal (SBNR) process was developed to treat high-strength swine wastewater. The ScMBR achieved stable and excellent removal of COD (95.3%), NH4+-N (98.3%), and TN (92.7%), though temperature went down from 20 °C, to 15 °C, to 10 °C stepwise along three operational phases. The COD and NH4+-N concentrations in the effluent met with the discharge standards (GB18596-2001). Microbial community diversity was high, and the genera Pseudomonas and Comamonas were dominant in denitritation, and Nitrosomonas was dominant in nitritation. Ceramic membrane modules of this pilot-scale reactor were separated into six layers (A, B, C, D, E, F) from top to bottom. The total filtration resistance of both the top and bottom membrane modules was relatively low, and the resistance of the middle ones was high. These results indicate that the spatial distribution of the membrane fouling degree was different, related to different aeration scour intensities demonstrated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results prove that the membrane fouling mechanism can be attributed to the cake layer formation of the middle modules and pore blocking of the top and bottom modules, which mainly consist of protein and carbohydrates. Therefore, different cleaning measures should be adopted for membrane modules in different positions. In this study, the efficient treatment of swine wastewater shows that the ScMBR system could be applied to high-strength wastewater. Furthermore, the spatial distribution characteristics of membrane fouling contribute to cleaning strategy formulation for further full-scale MBR applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Membrane Processes for Wastewater Treatment)
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11 pages, 2356 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Membrane Condenser Process with PTFE Hollow Fiber Membrane
by Yue Zhou, Susu Long, Zhaohui Wang, Enrico Drioli, Feng Zhang and Zhaoliang Cui
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060141 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
A membrane condenser (MC) is a novel membrane separation technology that utilizes the hydrophobic nature of porous membranes to capture water vapor from humid gas. Factors such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and gas composition entering the membrane condenser play a crucial role [...] Read more.
A membrane condenser (MC) is a novel membrane separation technology that utilizes the hydrophobic nature of porous membranes to capture water vapor from humid gas. Factors such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and gas composition entering the membrane condenser play a crucial role in water recovery efficiency. This study utilized hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow fiber membranes to create multiple identical membrane modules. This research investigated the impact of temperature, flow rate, pressure on the intake side, gas flow on the cooling side, membrane area, and other variables on the performance of the membrane condenser process. This study compared water extraction efficiency under different conditions, focusing on feed flow temperature and sweeping flow. Results showed that at a temperature of 60 °C, the water recovery rate was 24.7%, while a sweep gas flow rate of 4 L/min resulted in a recovery rate of 22.7%. The efficiency of the membrane condenser decreased with higher feed flow rates but increased with larger membrane areas. A proportional relationship between inlet flow and membrane area was observed, suggesting an optimal range of 0.51–0.67 cm/s for both parameters. These findings offer valuable insights for the practical implementation of hydrophobic membrane-based membrane condenser technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hollow Fiber Membranes for Gas and Vapor Separation: Fundamentals, State-of-the-Art, and Recent Advancements)
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16 pages, 9231 KiB  
Article
Network Derivation of Liquid Junction Potentials in Single-Membrane System
by Andrzej Ślęzak and Sławomir M. Grzegorczyn
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060140 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 832
Abstract
Peusner’s network thermodynamics (PNT) is one of the more important formalisms of nonequilibrium thermodynamics used to describe membrane transport and the conversion of the internal energy of the system into energy dissipated in the environment and free energy used for the work involved [...] Read more.
Peusner’s network thermodynamics (PNT) is one of the more important formalisms of nonequilibrium thermodynamics used to describe membrane transport and the conversion of the internal energy of the system into energy dissipated in the environment and free energy used for the work involved in the transport of solution components in membrane processes. A procedure of transformation the Kedem–Katchalsky (K-K) equations for the transport of binary electrolytic solutions through a membrane to the Kedem–Katchalsky–Peusner (K-K-P) equations based on the PNT formalism for liquid junction potentials was developed. The subject of the study was a membrane used for hemodialysis (Ultra Flo 145 Dialyser) and aqueous NaCl solutions. The research method was the L version of the K-K-P formalism for binary electrolyte solutions. The Peusner coefficients obtained from the transformations of the K-K formalism coefficients for the transport of electrolyte solutions through the artificial polymer membrane were used to calculate the coupling coefficients of the membrane processes and to calculate the dissipative energy flux. In addition, the dissipative energy flux, as a function of thermodynamic forces, made it possible to investigate the energy conversion of transport processes in the membrane system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Dynamics Simulation for Membrane Separation)
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12 pages, 6170 KiB  
Article
Dehydration of Organic Solvents from Ternary Mixtures Containing Toluene/Methanol/Water by Pervaporation
by Ying Qiao, Shichang Xu, Yixuan Wu, Long Zhang and Lixin Xie
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060139 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1326
Abstract
The separation of a toluene/methanol/water ternary mixture is a difficult task due to the toluene/water and toluene/methanol azeotropes. In this article, low-energy pervaporation is proposed for the separation of the ternary azeotrope toluene–methanol–water. This work investigates the effects of feed temperature, feed flow [...] Read more.
The separation of a toluene/methanol/water ternary mixture is a difficult task due to the toluene/water and toluene/methanol azeotropes. In this article, low-energy pervaporation is proposed for the separation of the ternary azeotrope toluene–methanol–water. This work investigates the effects of feed temperature, feed flow rate, and vacuum on pervaporation and compares the energy consumption of pervaporation with that of distillation. The results showed that at the optimized flow rate of 50 L/h and a permeate side vacuum of 60 kPa at 50 °C, the water and methanol content in the permeate was about 63.2 wt.% and 36.8 wt.%, respectively, the water/ methanol separation factor was 24.04, the permeate flux was 510.7 g/m2·h, the water content in the feed out was reduced from 2.5 wt.% to less than 0.66 wt.%, and the dehydration of toluene methanol could be realized. Without taking into account the energy consumption of pumps and other power equipment, pervaporation requires an energy consumption of 43.53 kW·h to treat 1 ton of raw material, while the energy consumption of distillation to treat 1 ton of raw material is about 261.5 kW·h. Compared to the existing distillation process, the pervaporation process consumes much less energy (about one-sixth of the energy consumption of distillation). There is almost no effect on the surface morphology and chemical composition of the membrane before and after use. The method provides an effective reference for the dehydration of organic solvents from ternary mixtures containing toluene/methanol/water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Separation Technology in Industrial Wastewater Treatment)
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29 pages, 7667 KiB  
Article
Novel Crosslinked Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Thermally Cured Epoxy Resin: Synthesis, Structure and Mechanical and Ion Transport Properties
by Daniil Golubenko, Farah Ejaz Ahmed and Nidal Hilal
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060138 - 11 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1805
Abstract
Limitations in existing anion exchange membranes deter their use in the efficient treatment of industrial wastewater effluent. This work presents an approach to fabricating novel anion-conducting membranes using epoxy resin monomers like hydrophobic or hydrophilic diglycidyl ether and quaternized polyethyleneimine (PEI). Manipulating the [...] Read more.
Limitations in existing anion exchange membranes deter their use in the efficient treatment of industrial wastewater effluent. This work presents an approach to fabricating novel anion-conducting membranes using epoxy resin monomers like hydrophobic or hydrophilic diglycidyl ether and quaternized polyethyleneimine (PEI). Manipulating the diglycidyl ether nature, the quantitative composition of the copolymer and the conditions of quaternization allows control of the physicochemical properties of the membranes, including water uptake (20.0–330%), ion exchange capacity (1.5–3.7 mmol/g), ionic conductivity (0.2–17 mS/cm in the Cl form at 20 °C), potentiostatic transport numbers (75–97%), as well as mechanical properties. A relationship was established between copolymer structure and conductivity/selectivity trade-off. The higher the quaternized polyethyleneimine, diluent fraction, and hydrophilicity of diglycidyl ether, the higher the conductivity and the lower the permselectivity. Hydrophobic diglycidyl ether gives a much better conductivity/selectivity ratio since it provides a lower degree of hydration than hydrophilic diglycidyl ether. Different mesh and non-woven reinforcing materials were also examined. The developed membranes demonstrate good stability in both neutral and acidic environments, and their benchmark characteristics in laboratory electrodialysis cells and batch-mode dialysis experiments are similar to or superior to, commercial membranes such as Neosepta© AMX, FujiFilm© Type1, and Fumasep FAD-PET. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Preparation and Characterization)
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22 pages, 21609 KiB  
Article
Characterizing Cellular Physiological States with Three-Dimensional Shape Descriptors for Cell Membranes
by Guoye Guan, Yixuan Chen, Hongli Wang, Qi Ouyang and Chao Tang
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060137 - 7 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
The shape of a cell as defined by its membrane can be closely associated with its physiological state. For example, the irregular shapes of cancerous cells and elongated shapes of neuron cells often reflect specific functions, such as cell motility and cell communication. [...] Read more.
The shape of a cell as defined by its membrane can be closely associated with its physiological state. For example, the irregular shapes of cancerous cells and elongated shapes of neuron cells often reflect specific functions, such as cell motility and cell communication. However, it remains unclear whether and which cell shape descriptors can characterize different cellular physiological states. In this study, 12 geometric shape descriptors for a three-dimensional (3D) object were collected from the previous literature and tested with a public dataset of ~400,000 independent 3D cell regions segmented based on fluorescent labeling of the cell membranes in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. It is revealed that those shape descriptors can faithfully characterize cellular physiological states, including (1) cell division (cytokinesis), along with an abrupt increase in the elongation ratio; (2) a negative correlation of cell migration speed with cell sphericity; (3) cell lineage specification with symmetrically patterned cell shape changes; and (4) cell fate specification with differential gene expression and differential cell shapes. The descriptors established may be used to identify and predict the diverse physiological states in numerous cells, which could be used for not only studying developmental morphogenesis but also diagnosing human disease (e.g., the rapid detection of abnormal cells). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design Principles and Biomedical Applications of Multifunctional Biological Membranes)
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12 pages, 7137 KiB  
Article
Valorisation of Tannery Waste to Recover Chromium with a View to Reusing It in Industrial Practise
by Anna Kowalik-Klimczak, Monika Łożyńska, Maciej Życki, Christian Schadewell, Thomas Fiehn, Bogusław Woźniak and Monika Flisek
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060136 - 6 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1268
Abstract
This paper presents the basic assumptions of the concept of a new technology for the valorisation of chromium tannery waste. It assumes the use of an integrated system of the thermal pressure hydrolysis process and membrane filtration techniques for the recovery of chromium [...] Read more.
This paper presents the basic assumptions of the concept of a new technology for the valorisation of chromium tannery waste. It assumes the use of an integrated system of the thermal pressure hydrolysis process and membrane filtration techniques for the recovery of chromium compounds and the use of a separated organic matter during anaerobic fermentation. According to the assumptions of the developed technological concept, at the first stage, the crushed mixture of chromium tannery waste is decomposed in the process of thermal pressure hydrolysis using appropriate process conditions in an alkaline environment. Then, the liquid product of this process (the so-called hydrolysate) is processed using centrifugal force separation and ultrafiltration. Such activities enable the recovery of chromium compounds for rawhide currying and concentration of organic matter (fats, proteins) with energy potential. Research carried out under conditions similar to real operating conditions proved that chromium compounds recovered from waste can be successfully used in the processing of cowhides intended for the production of footwear. The industrial implementation of the developed technology for valorising chromium tannery waste would enable the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Processes in a Circular Economy: Opportunities and Challenges)
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15 pages, 2161 KiB  
Article
Efficient Isolation of Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) Secreted by Gram-Negative Bacteria via a Novel Gradient Filtration Method
by Ning Li, Minghui Wu, Lu Wang, Mengyu Tang, Hongbo Xin and Keyu Deng
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060135 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2112
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) secreted by Gram-negative bacteria are referred to as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) because they originate in the outer membrane. OMVs are membrane-coated vesicles 20–250 nm in size. They contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other substances [...] Read more.
Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) secreted by Gram-negative bacteria are referred to as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) because they originate in the outer membrane. OMVs are membrane-coated vesicles 20–250 nm in size. They contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other substances derived from their parent bacteria and participate in the transmission of information to host cells. OMVs have broad prospects in terms of potential application in the fields of adjuvants, vaccines, and drug delivery vehicles. Currently, there remains a lack of efficient and convenient methods to isolate OMVs, which greatly limits OMV-related research. In this study, we developed a fast, convenient, and low-cost gradient filtration method to separate OMVs that can achieve industrial-scale production while maintaining the biological activity of the isolated OMVs. We compared the gradient filtration method with traditional ultracentrifugation to isolate OMVs from probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) bacteria. Then, we used RAW264.7 macrophages as an in vitro model to study the influence on the immune function of EcN-derived OMVs obtained through the gradient filtration method. Our results indicated that EcN-derived OMVs were efficiently isolated using our gradient filtration method. The level of OMV enrichment obtained via our gradient filtration method was about twice as efficient as that achieved through traditional ultracentrifugation. The EcN-derived OMVs enriched through the gradient filtration method were successfully taken up by RAW264.7 macrophages and induced them to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukins (ILs) 6 and 1β, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, EcN-derived OMVs induced more anti-inflammatory response (i.e., IL-10) than pro-inflammatory response (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β). These results were consistent with those reported in the literature. The related literature reported that EcN-derived OMVs obtained through ultracentrifugation could induce stronger anti-inflammatory responses than pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our simple and novel separation method may therefore have promising prospects in terms of applications involving the study of OMVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Characterization of Membranes for Biomedical Applications)
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12 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal Detection and Removal by Composite Carbon Quantum Dots/Ionomer Membranes
by Emanuela Sgreccia, Francia Sarhaly Gallardo Gonzalez, Paolo Prosposito, Luca Burratti, Michele Sisani, Maria Bastianini, Philippe Knauth and Maria Luisa Di Vona
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060134 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1430
Abstract
The combination of ion exchange membranes with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is a promising field that could lead to significant advances in water treatment. Composite membranes formed by sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with embedded CQDs were used for the detection and removal [...] Read more.
The combination of ion exchange membranes with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is a promising field that could lead to significant advances in water treatment. Composite membranes formed by sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with embedded CQDs were used for the detection and removal of heavy metal ions, such as lead and cadmium, from water. SPEEK is responsible for the capture of heavy metals based on the cation exchange mechanism, while CQDs detect their contamination by exhibiting changes in fluorescence. Water-insoluble “red” carbon quantum dots (rCQDs) were synthesized from p-phenylenediamine so that their photoluminescence was shifted from that of the polymer matrix. CQDs and the composites were characterized by several techniques: FTIR, Raman, UV/VIS, photoluminescence, XPS spectroscopies, and AFM microscopy. The heavy metal ion concentration was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The concentration ranges were 10.8–0.1 mM for Pb2+ and 10.0–0.27 mM for Cd2+. SPEEK/rCQDs showed a more pronounced turn-off effect for lead. The composite achieved 100% removal efficiency for lead and cadmium when the concentration was below a half of the ion exchange capacity of SPEEK. The regeneration of membranes in 1 M NaCl was also studied. A second order law was effective to describe the kinetics of the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membranes for Energy and the Environment)
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19 pages, 3770 KiB  
Article
Using the Assembly Time as a Tool to Control the Surface Morphology and Separation Performance of Membranes with a Tannic Acid–Fe3+ Selective Layer
by Hluf Hailu Kinfu, Md. Mushfequr Rahman, Erik S. Schneider, Nicolás Cevallos-Cueva and Volker Abetz
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060133 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1279
Abstract
Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes containing a metal–polyphenol network (MPN)-based selective layer were fabricated on a porous polyacrylonitrile support. The MPN layer was formed through coordination-based self-assembly between plant-based tannic acid (TA) and an Fe3+ ion. For the first time, we demonstrate that [...] Read more.
Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes containing a metal–polyphenol network (MPN)-based selective layer were fabricated on a porous polyacrylonitrile support. The MPN layer was formed through coordination-based self-assembly between plant-based tannic acid (TA) and an Fe3+ ion. For the first time, we demonstrate that TFC membranes containing TA-Fe3+ selective layers can separate small organic solutes in aqueous media from equimolar mixtures of solutes. The effect of the assembly time on the characteristics and performance of the fabricated selective layer was investigated. An increase in the assembly time led to the formation of selective layers with smaller effective pore sizes. The tannic acid–Fe3+ selective layer exhibited a low rejection towards neutral solutes riboflavin and poly(ethylene glycol) while high rejections were observed for anionic dyes of orange II and naphthol green B. Permeation selectivities in the range of 2–27 were achieved between neutral and charged dyes in both single- and mixed-solute experiments, indicating the significant role of Donnan exclusion and the charge-selective nature of the membranes. The rejection efficiency improved with an increasing assembly time. Overall, this study demonstrates that the assembly time is a vital casting parameter for controlling the permeance, rejection and selectivity of thin-film composite membranes with a tannic acid–Fe3+ selective layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Challenges in Membranes for Water and Wastewater Application)
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10 pages, 2111 KiB  
Communication
Impact of Sub-Ambient Temperature on Aging Rate and Gas Separation Properties of Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity
by Pierre Dieudonné, Riccardo Rea, Elsa Lasseuguette and Maria-Chiara Ferrari
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060132 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1032
Abstract
Aging in polymers of intrinsic microporosity has slowed exploitation due to a decay in performance over time since densification makes them unsuitable for industrial applications. This work aimed to study the impact of the operation and storage temperature on the gas separation properties [...] Read more.
Aging in polymers of intrinsic microporosity has slowed exploitation due to a decay in performance over time since densification makes them unsuitable for industrial applications. This work aimed to study the impact of the operation and storage temperature on the gas separation properties and aging rates of PIM-1 self-standing films. The permeability, diffusivity, and solubility of the tested membranes were monitored through permeation tests for pure carbon dioxide and nitrogen at a maximum upstream pressure of 1.3 bar for temperatures ranging from −20 °C to 25 °C. This study found significant benefits in the operation of glassy polymeric membranes at low temperatures, resulting in a favourable trade-off in separation performance and a reduction in the aging rate by three orders of magnitude. This brings new opportunities for the industrial application of PIMs in innovative carbon capture processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) and Membrane Technologies)
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20 pages, 3987 KiB  
Article
Zinc Recovery from a Water Supply by Reverse Osmosis Operated at Low Pressures: Looking for Sustainability in Water Treatment Advanced Processes
by Paola Andrea Alvizuri-Tintaya, Paul d’Abzac, Vanesa G. Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, Juan Ignacio Torregrosa-López and Jaime Lora-García
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060131 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1034
Abstract
Achieving sustainability in life involves increasing efforts to recover resources. This research proposes the recovery of Zn from the Milluni lagoons, an important water supply for Bolivia, where high concentrations of Zn have been identified that exceed permitted limits, exposing a risk to [...] Read more.
Achieving sustainability in life involves increasing efforts to recover resources. This research proposes the recovery of Zn from the Milluni lagoons, an important water supply for Bolivia, where high concentrations of Zn have been identified that exceed permitted limits, exposing a risk to health and ecosystems. The application of reverse osmosis (RO), operated with low pressures, is proposed as a first stage for the concentration of Zn and subsequent recovery of this metal through chemical precipitation. The aim was to maintain the separation efficiency of the RO operated at low pressures without presenting operational problems. As a result, 98.83% metal concentration was achieved with a laboratory-scale pilot system. The above means an important potential for large-scale Zn concentration, apart from orienting the RO toward sustainability by working with low pressures that reduce energy costs during its operation. This study can be used as a valuable reference for the advancement of sustainable technologies in the field of water treatment that simultaneously allow the recovery of resources to promote a circular economy. Finally, this study exposes an alternative for regions with heavy metal water contamination in Bolivia and worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Processes in a Circular Economy: Opportunities and Challenges)
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22 pages, 4593 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Rubber Industry Wastewater Treatment through an Integrated AnMBR and A/O MBR System: Performance, Membrane Fouling Analysis, and Microbial Community Evolution
by Ishanka Prabhath Wimalaweera, Yuansong Wei, Fumin Zuo, Qihe Tang, Tharindu Ritigala, Yawei Wang, Hui Zhong, Rohan Weerasooriya, Shameen Jinadasa and Sujithra Weragoda
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060130 - 5 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1650
Abstract
This study explores the effectiveness of an integrated anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) coupled with an anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O MBR) for the treatment of natural rubber industry wastewater with high sulfate, ammonia, and complex organic contents. This study was conducted at the lab-scale [...] Read more.
This study explores the effectiveness of an integrated anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) coupled with an anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O MBR) for the treatment of natural rubber industry wastewater with high sulfate, ammonia, and complex organic contents. This study was conducted at the lab-scale over a duration of 225 days to thoroughly investigate the efficiency and sustainability of the proposed treatment method. With a hydraulic retention time of 6 days for the total system, COD reductions were over 98%, which reduced the influent from 22,158 ± 2859 mg/L to 118 ± 74 mg/L of the effluent. The system demonstrates average NH3-N, TN, and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies of 72.9 ± 5.7, 72.8 ± 5.6, and 71.3 ± 9.9, respectively. Despite an average whole biological system removal of 50.6%, the anaerobic reactor eliminated 44.9% of the raw WW sulfate. Analyses of membrane fouling revealed that organic fouling was more pronounced in the anaerobic membrane, whereas aerobic membrane fouling displayed varied profiles due to differential microbial and oxidative activities. Key bacterial genera, such as Desulfobacterota in the anaerobic stage and nitrifiers in the aerobic stage, are identified as instrumental in the biological processes. The microbial profile reveals a shift from methanogenesis to sulfide-driven autotrophic denitrification and sulfammox, with evidence of an active denitrification pathway in anaerobic/anoxic conditions. The system showcases its potential for industrial application, underpinning environmental sustainability through improved wastewater management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Technologies for Wastewater and Sludge Treatment)
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13 pages, 2635 KiB  
Article
Non-Dispersive Extraction of Chromium(VI) by Cyphos IL102/Solvesso 100 Using the Pseudo-Emulsion-Based Strip Dispersion Membrane Operation
by Francisco Jose Alguacil
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060129 - 4 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 949
Abstract
The removal of chromium(VI) from an acidic (HCl) medium through non-dispersive extraction with strip dispersion (NDXSD) was investigated using a microporous PVDF membrane support in a permeation cell. The ionic liquid Cyphos IL102 (phosphonium salt) in Solvesso 100 was used as an organic [...] Read more.
The removal of chromium(VI) from an acidic (HCl) medium through non-dispersive extraction with strip dispersion (NDXSD) was investigated using a microporous PVDF membrane support in a permeation cell. The ionic liquid Cyphos IL102 (phosphonium salt) in Solvesso 100 was used as an organic phase. In NDXSD, the stripping phase (NaOH) is dispersed in the organic phase on the cell side with an impeller stirrer adequate to form a strip dispersion. This pseudo-emulsion phase (organic + strip solutions) provides a constant supply of the Cyphos IL102/Solvesso 100 to the membrane phase. Various hydrodynamic and chemical parameters, such as variation in the feed and pseudo-emulsion stirring speeds, HCl and Cr(VI) concentrations in the feed phase, and carrier concentration, were investigated. Results indicated that the best chromium(VI) transport was obtained under the following conditions: feed and pseudo-emulsion stirring speeds of 1000 min−1 and 600 min−1, respectively; an HCl concentration in the feed phase of 0.1 M; a chromium concentration of 0.01 g/L in the same phase; and carrier concentration in the organic phase in the 2–5–10% v/v range. From the experimental data, several mass transfer coefficients were estimated: a bulk diffusion coefficient of 3.1·10−7 cm2/s and a diffusion coefficient of 6.1·10−8 cm2/s in the membrane phase and mass transfer coefficients in the feed (5.7·10−3 cm/s) and membrane phases (2.9·10−6 cm/s). The performance of the present system against other ionic liquids and the presence of base metals in the feed phase were investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nanomaterial Membranes for Efficient Separation)
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23 pages, 2988 KiB  
Article
The Utilization of Chicken Egg White Waste-Modified Nanofiber Membrane for Anionic Dye Removal in Batch and Flow Systems: Comprehensive Investigations into Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Breakthrough Curve
by Yun-Rou Chen, Dinh Thi Hong Thanh, Quynh Thi Phuong Tran, Bing-Lan Liu, Penjit Srinophakun, Chen-Yaw Chiu, Kuei-Hsiang Chen and Yu-Kaung Chang
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060128 - 3 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1115
Abstract
This study investigated the use of chicken egg white (CEW) waste immobilized on weak acidic nanofiber membranes for removing the anionic acid orange 7 (AO7) dye in batch and continuous flow modes. Different experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CEW-modified nanofiber [...] Read more.
This study investigated the use of chicken egg white (CEW) waste immobilized on weak acidic nanofiber membranes for removing the anionic acid orange 7 (AO7) dye in batch and continuous flow modes. Different experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CEW-modified nanofiber membranes for AO7 removal, focusing on CEW immobilization conditions, adsorption kinetics, and thermodynamics. The CEW-modified nanofiber membrane (namely NM-COOH-CEW) exhibited a maximum AO7 adsorption capacity of 589.11 mg/g within approximately 30 min. The Freundlich isotherm model best represented the equilibrium adsorption data, while the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order rate model. Breakthrough curve analysis using the Thomas model and the bed depth service time (BDST) model showed that the BDST model accurately described the curve, with an error percentage under 5%. To investigate AO7 elution efficiency, different concentrations of organic solvents or salts were tested as eluents. The NM-COOH-CEW nanofiber membrane exhibited promising performance as an effective adsorbent for removing AO7 dye from contaminated water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanofibrous Membrane for Biomedical, Environmental and Energy Application)
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16 pages, 3640 KiB  
Article
Integration of Full-Size Graywater Membrane-Aerated Biological Reactor with Reverse Osmosis System for Space-Based Wastewater Treatment
by Ghaem Hooshyari, Arpita Bose and W. Andrew Jackson
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060127 - 30 May 2024
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
To date, life support systems on the International Space Center (ISS) or those planned for upcoming moon/Mars missions have not included biological reactors for wastewater treatment, despite their ubiquitous use for the treatment of terrestrial wastewaters. However, the new focus on partial gravity [...] Read more.
To date, life support systems on the International Space Center (ISS) or those planned for upcoming moon/Mars missions have not included biological reactors for wastewater treatment, despite their ubiquitous use for the treatment of terrestrial wastewaters. However, the new focus on partial gravity habitats reduces the required complexity of treatment systems compared with those operating in micro-gravity, and the likely addition of large-volume wastewaters with surfactant loads (e.g., laundry and shower) makes the current ISS wastewater treatment system inappropriate due to the foaming potential from surfactants, increased consumable requirements due to the use of non-regenerative systems (e.g., mixed adsorbent beds), the complexity of the system, and sensitivity to failures from precipitation and/or biological fouling. Hybrid systems that combine simple biological reactors with desalination (e.g., Reverse Osmosis (RO)) could reduce system and consumable mass and complexity. Our objective was to evaluate a system composed of a membrane-aerated bioreactor (MABR) coupled to a low-pressure commercial RO system to process partial gravity habitat wastewater. The MABR was able to serve as the only wastewater collection tank (variable volume), receiving all wastewaters as they were produced. The MABR treated more than 20,750 L of graywater and was able to remove more than 90% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), producing an effluent with DOC < 14 mg/L and BOD < 12 mg/L and oxidizing >90% of the ammoniacal nitrogen into NOx−. A single RO membrane (260 g) was able to process >3000 L of MABR effluent and produced a RO permeate with DOC < 5 mg/L, TN < 2 mg/L, and TDS < 10 mg/L, which would essentially meet ISS potable water standards after disinfection. The system has an un-optimized mass and volume of 128.5 kg. Consumables include oxygen (~4 g/crew-day), RO membranes, and a prefilter (1.7 g/crew-day). For a one-year mission with four crew, the total system + consumable mass are ~141 kg, which would produce ~15,150 kg of treated water, resulting in a pay-back period of 13.4 days (3.35 days for a crew of four). Given that the MABR in this study operated for 500 days, while in previous studies, similar systems operated for more than 3 years, the total system costs would be exceedingly low. These results highlight the potential application of hybrid treatment systems for space habitats, which may also have a direct application to terrestrial applications where source-separated systems are employed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developing Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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14 pages, 4651 KiB  
Article
Chemical-Saving Potential for Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Processes Based on Long-Term Pilot Trials
by Sofia Lovisa Andersson, Christian Baresel, Sofia Andersson, Klara Westling, Mikael Eriksson, Andrea Carranza Munoz, Gabriel Persson, Mayumi Narongin-Fujikawa, Kristin Johansson and Tomas Rydberg
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060126 - 29 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1219
Abstract
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have gained attraction in municipal wastewater treatment because of their capacity to meet strict water quality standards and support water reuse. Despite this, their operational sustainability is often compromised by high resource consumption, especially regarding the use of chemicals for [...] Read more.
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have gained attraction in municipal wastewater treatment because of their capacity to meet strict water quality standards and support water reuse. Despite this, their operational sustainability is often compromised by high resource consumption, especially regarding the use of chemicals for membrane cleaning. This study explores innovative membrane-cleaning strategies to enhance the sustainability of MBR processes. Through long-term pilot trials at Stockholm’s largest wastewater treatment plant, this study showed that alternative cleaning strategies can reduce chemical use by up to 75% without sacrificing treatment performance. The results further suggest that these alternative strategies could result in cost reductions of up to 70% and a reduction in environmental impacts by as much as 95% for certain indicators. Given that MBRs play a crucial role in addressing increasing treatment demands and advancing circular water management, the outcomes of this study are beneficial for the broader adoption of MBR processes. These results also have implications for existing installations, offering a pathway to more sustainable wastewater treatment. Moreover, the presented cleaning strategies provide significant opportunities for lowering operational costs and reducing the environmental footprint of new and existing MBR installations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Technologies for Wastewater and Sludge Treatment)
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13 pages, 4271 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Coagulation-Integrated Sand Filtration and Ultrafiltration for Seawater Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment
by Qingao Li, Lixin Xie, Shichang Xu and Wen Zhang
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060125 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
The removal of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from seawater before the reverse osmosis (RO) processes is crucial for alleviating organic fouling of RO membranes. However, research is still insufficiently developed in the comparison of the effectiveness of integrating coagulation with ultrafiltration (UF) or [...] Read more.
The removal of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from seawater before the reverse osmosis (RO) processes is crucial for alleviating organic fouling of RO membranes. However, research is still insufficiently developed in the comparison of the effectiveness of integrating coagulation with ultrafiltration (UF) or sand filtration (SF) in the pretreatment stage of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) for the removal of DOM. In this study, we investigated the effect of pretreatment technologies on RO fouling caused by DOM in seawater, including the integration of coagulation and sand filtration (C-S pretreatment) and the integration of coagulation and ultrafiltration (C-U pretreatment). Both integrated pretreatments achieved comparable DOM removal rates (70.2% for C-U and 69.6% for C-S), and C-S exhibited enhanced removal of UV-absorbing compounds. Although C-U was more proficient in reducing the silt density index (below 2) compared to C-S (above 3) and improved the elimination of humic acid-like organics, it left a higher proportion of tyrosine-protein-like organics, soluble microbial by-product-like organics, and finer organics in the effluent, leading to the formation of a dense cake layer on RO membrane and a higher flux decline. Therefore, suitable technologies should be selected according to specific water conditions to efficiently mitigate RO membrane fouling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membranes Research in Tianjin University: Celebrating 130th Anniversary)
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19 pages, 7786 KiB  
Article
Characterizing Macroporous Ion Exchange Membrane Adsorbers for Natural Organic Matter (NOM) Removal—Adsorption and Regeneration Behavior
by Jon Wullenweber, Julia Bennert, Tomi Mantel and Mathias Ernst
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060124 - 27 May 2024
Viewed by 1267
Abstract
Addressing the characterization of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) removal by functionalized membranes in water treatment, this study evaluates the effectiveness of two commercial ion-exchange membrane adsorbers: Sartobind® Q (with quaternary amines) and D (with tertiary amines). Using Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) as [...] Read more.
Addressing the characterization of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) removal by functionalized membranes in water treatment, this study evaluates the effectiveness of two commercial ion-exchange membrane adsorbers: Sartobind® Q (with quaternary amines) and D (with tertiary amines). Using Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) as a surrogate, Langmuir adsorption isotherms revealed maximum capacities (Qmax) of 2966 ± 153 mg C/m2 and 2888 ± 112 mg C/m2, respectively. Variations in flux from 50 to 500 LMH had a minimal impact on breakthrough times, proving low diffusion limitations. The macroporous (3–5 µm) functionalized cellulose-based membranes exhibited high permeabilities of 10,800 L/(h m2 bar). Q maintained positive zeta potential vs. pH, while D’s zeta potential decreased above pH 7 due to amine deprotonation and turning negative above an isoelectric point of 9.1. Regeneration with 0.01 M NaOH achieved over 95% DOC regeneration for Sartobind® D, characterizing reversibility through a pH-swing. Cyclic adsorption showed that Q maintained its capacity with over 99% DOC regeneration, while D required acidic conditioning after the first regeneration cycle to mitigate capacity reduction and re-deprotonate the adsorber. These results have demonstrated the potential suitability of adsorber membranes, designed originally for biotechnological purposes, for the possible removal of disinfection byproduct precursors in drinking water treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications)
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15 pages, 9152 KiB  
Article
Pure Hydrogen and Methane Permeation in Carbon-Based Nanoporous Membranes: Adsorption Isotherms and Permeation Experiments
by Matthis Kurth, Mudassar Javed, Thomas Schliermann, Georg Brösigke, Susanne Kämnitz, Suresh K. Bhatia and Jens-Uwe Repke
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060123 - 26 May 2024
Viewed by 1204
Abstract
This paper presents the results of adsorption and permeation experiments of hydrogen and methane at elevated temperatures on a carbon-based nanoporous membrane material provided by Fraunhofer IKTS. The adsorption of pure components was measured between 90 °C and 120°C and pressures up to [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of adsorption and permeation experiments of hydrogen and methane at elevated temperatures on a carbon-based nanoporous membrane material provided by Fraunhofer IKTS. The adsorption of pure components was measured between 90 °C and 120°C and pressures up to 45 bar. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm shows the best fit for all data points. Compared to available adsorption isotherms of H2 and CH4 on carbon, the adsorption on the investigated nanoporous carbon structures is significantly lower. Single-component permeation experiments were conducted on membranes at temperatures up to 220 °C. After combining the experimental results with a Maxwell–Stefan surface diffusion model, Maxwell–Stefan surface diffusion coefficients Dis were calculated. The calculated values are in line with an empirical model and thus can be used in future multi-component modeling approaches in order to better analyze and design a membrane system. The published adsorption data fill a gap in the available adsorption data for CH4 and H2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Membranes for Energy and Environmental Applications)
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23 pages, 12145 KiB  
Article
Effects of Alkaline Cleaning Agents on the Long-Term Performance and Aging of Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes Applied for Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
by Marek Gryta, Piotr Woźniak and Sylwia Mozia
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060122 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1070
Abstract
The commercial ultrafiltration polyethersulfone (PES) membranes (10 and 100 kDa) blended with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were applied for the filtration of car wash wastewater. Periodical membrane rinsing with water did not prevent fouling and a decrease in permeate flux was observed. Fouling was reduced [...] Read more.
The commercial ultrafiltration polyethersulfone (PES) membranes (10 and 100 kDa) blended with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were applied for the filtration of car wash wastewater. Periodical membrane rinsing with water did not prevent fouling and a decrease in permeate flux was observed. Fouling was reduced by washing the membranes with cleaning agents, which are used in car washes to clean wheels and remove insects. In addition to surfactants, these agents contain NaOH, hence the pH value of cleaning solutions was over 11. Long-term contact with such solutions resulted in the removal of PVP from the membrane matrix and an increase in pore size. The PES membranes were soaked in an alkaline solution (pH = 11.5) for 20 months, after which the 200 kDa dextran rejection decreased from 95% to 80%. To compare with the static degradation conditions, 8 weeks of alkaline agent filtration was realized, after which the dextran (200 kDa) rejection decreased below 50%. This indicated that the cross-flow of alkaline agents can accelerate the removal of components building the membrane matrix. Despite membrane degradation, the separation efficiency (the rejection of chemical oxygen demand—COD, turbidity, and surfactants) during the treatment of synthetic car wash wastewater was similar to that obtained for pristine membranes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Challenges in Membranes for Water and Wastewater Application)
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12 pages, 10727 KiB  
Article
Anion Exchange Membrane with Pendulous Piperidinium on Twisted All-Carbon Backbone for Fuel Cell
by Huaqing Zhang, Wanjie Song, Lixuan Sun, Cui Yang, Xin Zhang, Mingyue Wu, Liang Wu, Xiaolin Ge and Tongwen Xu
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060121 - 23 May 2024
Viewed by 1342
Abstract
As a central component for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), the anion exchange membrane is now facing the challenge of further improving its conductivity and alkali stability. Herein, a twisted all-carbon backbone is designed by introducing stereo-contorted units with piperidinium groups dangled [...] Read more.
As a central component for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), the anion exchange membrane is now facing the challenge of further improving its conductivity and alkali stability. Herein, a twisted all-carbon backbone is designed by introducing stereo-contorted units with piperidinium groups dangled at the twisted sites. The rigid and twisted backbone improves the conduction of hydroxide and brings down the squeezing effect of the backbone on piperidine rings. Accordingly, an anion exchange membrane prepared through this method exhibits adapted OH− conductivity, low swelling ratio and excellent alkali stability, even in high alkali concentrations. Further, a fuel cell assembled with a such-prepared membrane can reach a power density of 904.2 mW/cm2 and be capable of continuous operation for over 50 h. These results demonstrate that the designed membrane has good potential for applications in AEMFCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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14 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Bead-Containing Superhydrophobic Nanofiber Membrane for Membrane Distillation
by Md Eman Talukder, Md. Romon Talukder, Md. Nahid Pervez, Hongchen Song and Vincenzo Naddeo
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060120 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1118
Abstract
This study introduces an innovative approach to enhancing membrane distillation (MD) performance by developing bead-containing superhydrophobic sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) nanofibers with S-MWCNTs. By leveraging SPES’s inherent hydrophobicity and thermal stability, combined with a nanostructured fibrous configuration, we engineered beads designed to optimize the [...] Read more.
This study introduces an innovative approach to enhancing membrane distillation (MD) performance by developing bead-containing superhydrophobic sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) nanofibers with S-MWCNTs. By leveraging SPES’s inherent hydrophobicity and thermal stability, combined with a nanostructured fibrous configuration, we engineered beads designed to optimize the MD process for water purification applications. Here, oxidized hydrophobic S-MWCNTs were dispersed in a SPES solution at concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% by weight. These bead membranes are fabricated using a novel electrospinning technique, followed by a post-treatment with the hydrophobic polyfluorinated grafting agent to augment nanofiber membrane surface properties, thereby achieving superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) of 145 ± 2° and a higher surface roughness of 512 nm. The enhanced membrane demonstrated a water flux of 87.3 Lm−2 h−1 and achieved nearly 99% salt rejection efficiency at room temperature, using a 3 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution as the feed. The results highlight the potential of superhydrophobic SPES nanofiber beads in revolutionizing MD technology, offering a scalable, efficient, and robust membrane for salt rejection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Porous Hydrophobic Membrane Materials for Membrane Distillation)
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5 pages, 215 KiB  
Editorial
Membrane Separation Processes in Wastewater and Water Purification, Volume II
by Alexandre Giacobbo and Andréa Moura Bernardes
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060119 - 22 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1411
Abstract
Water is a crucial natural resource, essential for the development of a range of human activities, from agricultural and industrial to domestic; therefore, its availability is associated with a region or country’s economic growth [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Separation Process in Wastewater and Water Purification, Volume II)
14 pages, 4817 KiB  
Article
Cryptotanshinone-Induced Permeabilization of Model Phospholipid Membranes: A Biophysical Study
by Julia Ortiz, Francisco J. Aranda, José A. Teruel and Antonio Ortiz
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060118 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 924
Abstract
The Danshen terpenoid cryptotanshinone (CPT) is gaining enormous interest in light of its various outstanding biological activities. Among those, CPT has been shown to interact with cell membranes and, for instance, to have antibacterial activity. Several works have shown that CPT alone, or [...] Read more.
The Danshen terpenoid cryptotanshinone (CPT) is gaining enormous interest in light of its various outstanding biological activities. Among those, CPT has been shown to interact with cell membranes and, for instance, to have antibacterial activity. Several works have shown that CPT alone, or in combination with other drugs, can effectively act as an antibiotic against various infectious bacteria. Some authors have related the mechanism underlying this action to CPT–membrane interaction. This work shows that CPT readily partitions into phosphatidylcholine membranes, but there is a limiting capacity of accommodation of ca. 1 mol CPT to 3 mol phospholipid. The addition of CPT to unilamellar liposomes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) causes membrane permeabilization, as shown by fluorescent probe leakage. This process has been kinetically studied, as well as its modulation by incorporation of phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylglycerol, as a model for pathogenic cell membranes. The thermotropic behavior of 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model membranes is weakly affected by CPT, but the terpenoid causes significant dehydration of the polar region of the bilayer and weak disordering of the acyl chain palisade, as observed in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows that CPT increases DMPC bilayer thickness, which could be due to localization near the phospholipid/water interface. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the lateral diffusion coefficient of the phospholipid increases with the presence of CPT. CPT extends from the polar head region to the center of the bilayer, being centered between the carbonyl groups and the unsaturated region of the POPC, where there is greater overlap. Interestingly, the free energy profiles of a water molecule crossing the lipid membrane show that the POPC membrane becomes more permeable in the presence of CPT. In summary, our results show that CPT perturbs the physicochemical properties of the phospholipid membrane and compromises its barrier function, which could be of relevance to explain part of its antimicrobial or anticancer activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biological Membrane Composition and Structures)
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